Category Archives: East Asia

Asia: International Day of Peace

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

A survey by CPNN

The following 67 events in 20 Asian countries were listed in “Google News” during the week of September 21-28 under the key words “International day of peace” and 国际和平日 (Chinese). This includes also some events listed on the websites of the Global Feast for Peace, the Peace Wave, the event map for the International Day of Peace, and the Campaign Nonviolence. No doubt there were many events listed on the Internet in languages other than those for which we searched.


Here are excerpts from the articles.

ASHBURTON , AUSTRALIA : Love Peace Harmony Fun : Afternoon to celebrate International Day of Peace for 2017.

BUNDABERG, AUSTRALIA : The Bundaberg Lions Club joined forces with Bundaberg Regional Council to unveil a peace pole in Buss Park yesterday.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA : In Sydney, an International Peace Day Gala Dinner Convention sponsored by the United Nations Association of Australia Peace Program was organised by its very capable director Dr Zeny Edwards. The event, which was held at Novotel Hotel, Darling Harbour, was attended by dedicated diplomats from various countries, Australian peace advocates and peace volunteers.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA : September 21 was the annual United Nations “International Day of Peace”, and this Sunday 24th September the 10.30 Mass is celebrated in conjunction with the United Nations Association of Australia as the annual Choral Mass for Peace.

DHAKA, BANGLADESH : On September 23, 2017, Junior Chamber International (JCI) Bangladesh organised ‘2017 JCI Bangladesh Peace is Possible Awards’ at Spectra Convention Centre in Gulshan 1 of Dhaka city.

DHAKA, BANGLADESH : In observance of International Day of Peace, UNIC Dhaka jointly with the Dhakabashi organization and the National Federation of Youth Organizations in Bangladesh (NFYOB) organized a Children Art Contest and Rally respectively at Hazaribagh Community Centre and Hazaribagh Park area on 21 September 2017.

BEIJING, CHINA :On September 21, at the occasion of the commemoration of International Day of Peace, the China World Peace Foundation, the Beijing International Peace Culture Foundation and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) The 4th “Peace Court Peace Festival” was held in Beijing. Envoys came from more than 100 countries on five continents, international organizations, government representatives, business representatives, experts and scholars and representatives of young people. The theme of the “Peace Court” is the “peace of mind” and the President of the China World Peace Foundation, Mr. Li Ruohong, read the message from the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova and said that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on governments, civil society and international and regional institutions to work together to maintain peace (from Chinese original).

NANJING, CHINA : Today (September 21) is the 36th “International Day of Peace”, and the anniversary of the Japanese invasion of Nanjing. At the Massacre Memorial Hall Peace Square, there were peace message signature activities. Visitors from across the country have signed the memorial Hall Peace Square signature message. Ms. Ma from Anhui, said her first visit to the memorial hall, visiting the “million people pit” site, struck her heart like a knife. Memories of the Japanese violence at that time is really hateful Peace is too precious. Officers and men lined up in front of the Statue of Liberty to take pictures of the world forever peace symbol. (from Chinese original)

BANGALORE, INDIA : Celebration of international day of peace 2017 @ gfgc k.r.puram, bangalore (college)

BHUBANESWAR, INDIA : To celebrate International Day of Peace on Thursday, students from eight educational institutions participated in a skit competition on the theme of peace and harmony in the afternoon.

HYDERABAD, INDIA :. Marking the occasion, of the International Day of Peace . . . and contributing to a culture of peace . . . Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM, a UN NGO) that spreads the message of ‘heartfulness meditation’ technique, conducted the ‘Making peaceful, powerful’ session at Shilpakala Vedika, Shilparamam, Hyderabad. The session included a talk by president of SRCM Kamlesh D Patel (Daaji) and an experience of the ‘Heartfulness meditation’ session for over 1,500 IPS, IRS, doctors and other prominent members of the society.

JAMMU, INDIA : The Panun Kashmir Human Rights Committee organised a special programme to observe the International Day of Peace here today. . . .. The programme was presided over by Ashwani Chrungoo, Panun Kashmir president and chairman, Human Rights Committee. Others who attended the programme included Prof ML Raina, chairman, Political Affairs Committee, Upinder Kaul, general secretary and Virender Raina, national spokesperson of Panun Kashmir.

KALINGA, INDIA : The International Peace Day was observed at the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences on 21 September 2017 on the theme #PeaceFirst. The students of KISS actively took part in the functions throughout the day. The students wrote Peace Wishes on the Peace Wish Tree. A human peace formation was created by the students of KISS to promote peace awareness.

LAITUMKHRAH, INDIA :To commemorate World Peace Day, the Lou Majaw Foundation in collaboration with the Department of Art and Culture observed the occasion with poetry and music at Andante Music School, Laitumkhrah. Several music bands including Haystack Ladies, an all ladies band from Tura, Tengnang D Sangma, the Fourth Element, Empirical Tribe, Nexus, Twilight a newly formed band from Jowai, Felixes and Lou Majaw himself rocked the crowd with their excellent musical forte.

KOHIMA, NAGALAND, INDIA : The Nagaland State Bharat Scouts & Guides (NSBSG) observed the International Day of Peace 2017 at Mezhür Higher Secondary School, Kohima on Sep. 21, where state coordinator of State Resource Centre for Women, Gracy Ayee, talked on “youth speech for peace.”

NAGALAND, INDIA : The International Day of Peace was observed in Dimapur and Peren districts. Peace Channel observed International Day of Peace-cum-12th Peace Channel foundation day in collaboration with Community Education Centre School (CECS). Speaking on the occasion, Dimapur district co-ordinator, Garrol Lotha asserted that since its inception Peace Channel have been relentlessly rendering its service to the people and effectively working to promote culture of peace in the society. The highlights of the programme include peace anthem, special number by the peace club members of CECS, group activity on the issues related to peace and conflict in the society initiated by NEISSR interns, vote of thanks delivered by teacher animator of the Peace Club, Maong followed by a Peace Prayer.

NAGPUR, INDIA : The India Peace Centre, on September 21, 2017, organised a ‘Peace Bicycle Rally’ in Nagpur to celebrate International Day of Peace. . . . Speaking on the occasion, Dr Amit Samarth appealed to participants to adapt to cycling as a pollution-free and fitness oriented means of transport, and lauded the efforts of India Peace Centre in using bicycle as an instrument to spread the message of peace.

TEHERAN, IRAN :The First Expert Meeting on Youth and Urban Peace was held in the Iranian capital on the occasion of International Day of Peace. The event was organized by the Young Shahryaran Club affiliated to Tehran Municipality and supported by the United Nations Information Center (UNIC). UNIC Director Maria Dotsenko, Head of Elite Commission of Iran’s Expediency Council’s Secretariat Mohammad Ebrahim Maddahi and Head of Environment Commission of Tehran City Council Zahra Sadreazam-Noori were the main speakers of the meeting.

BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN : Youth peer mentors from around Kyrgyzstan climbed a mountain and hauled hundreds of rocks to craft this awesome peace sign in Koh Tash village near Bishkek to highlight the importance of peacebuilding. The mentors are taking part in leadership training this week as part of our constructive dialogues on religion and democracy project.

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Question for this article

What has happened this year (2017) for the International Day of Peace?

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YANGON, MYANMAR : We had a great turnout on Saturday for our #PeaceDayMyanmar celebration with Moving Forward Together in Mahabandoola Park, Yangon. Lots of people braved the rain to listen to live music and poetry and to share messages of peace. Below, reggae artist Saw Poe Kwar performs songs of peace, harmony and tolerance to a big crowd.

PAITA, NOUVELLE CALEDONIE (French territory) : On the occasion of the International Day of Peace, and dressed in the colors of the rainbow, nearly a thousand schoolchildren from the private schools Luc-Amoura and Dumbéa-sur-Mer gathered yesterday at the Arena of the South to present their work on the theme of Peace: “Pacific-Actions”.

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN : Young students of Roots Garden Schools, Roots IVY Schools and Roots DHA1 celebrated ‘International Day of Peace’ to highlight the significance of world peace and harmony by expressing their heartfelt feelings, compassionate ideas and visions of a peaceful world by singing a special peace song by the school choir that sung, “Long live absolute world peace” at a ceremony held in Islamabad.

MULTAN, PAKISTAN : UPF Pakistan in collaboration with Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized a seminar on UN international day of Peace Celebrations, on September 21, 2017. The theme was “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All”.

LAHORE, PAKISTAN : Walks, seminars, vigils held to mark International Day of Peace

LAHORE, PAKISTAN : The interfaith groups in Pakistan dedicated the International Day of Peace on Sept. 21 to Rohingya refugees who fled violence in Myanmar’s western Rakhine state. Archbishop Sebastian Shaw of Lahore chaired an inter-religious seminar in Lahore at the Dominican Peace Centre where prayers, speeches, poetry, songs and candles vigil were held for the Muslim minority, at least 420,000 of whom have fled to neighboring Bangladesh. United Religions Initiative Pakistan was the main organizer.

LAHORE, PAKISTAN : 21st September was observed as the International Day of Peace at Lahore College for Women University.

CEBU, PHILIPPINES : So Alive led the International Day of Peace celebration at the SM City food court on September 21, last Thursday. An Interfaith Prayer of the Nations opened the program. The national anthem was sung with a dance of OLJLC Performing Arts Group.They were attired to represent different communities of our islands. . . There were many songs and messages of peace.

QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES : On Saturday, the #Everydaypeace Concert in Quezon City saw the launch of our new app in the Philippines promoting the idea that ‘peace is within our power’, plus the new single Kalinaw by music icon Dong Abay.

PAPEETE, TAHITI (French territory) : The Peace Concert, held on Friday 29th September at 19:30 in the main Hall of the City Hall of Pirae, is the 13th artistic and charity gala organized jointly by the Art Conservatory and Soroptimist International Charity Club Tahiti / Papeete from the beginning of their collaboration. The Tipaerui Institution will engage 40 volunteer artists and volunteers, including 11 professors and teachers, 22 high-level students and seven musicians (traditional orchestra), who will offer the general public a first part of traditional dance and a second part of chamber music.

TONGATAPU, TONGA : Some 35 girls from various secondary schools in Tongatapu are holding a Girls Empowerment Camp from September 19-23 as part of activities marking the International Day of Peace

In addition to the above events with links on the Internet, there are a number of events in Asia listed on the event map for the International Day of Peace.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA held Gathering in peace for conversation and prayer.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA held a water ceremony for peace on the banks of the Torrens River.

ARMIDALE, AUSTRALIA had presentations and lectures on Peace, with multicultural food and music.

UNHAM, INDONESIA held a memorial ceremony and seminar.

JAKARTA, INDONESIA: Students created Graphic novels to promote a Culture of Peace.

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN : The United For Peace Film Festival (UFPFF) is held every year on September 21st, the United Nations International ‘Peace Day’.

CANTERBURY, NEW ZEALAND : A small but perfectly formed group of people gathered in the Botanic Gardens to ring World Peace Bell.

TAURANGA, NEW ZEALAND: A meditation for personal and world peace was held on the beach in Tauranga

WHANGANUI, NEW ZEALAND : Panel discussion on the annual theme, “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All”.

RAWAI PHUKET, THAILAND : Peace picnic at Palm House Primary School

HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM : Our Pre-school is making an art installation of pinwheels to celebrate peace

Some Asian events are listed on the Peace Wave webpage of the International Peace Bureau:

SUVA, FIJI : Peace Wave teach-in at the University of the South Pacific

INDIA: activities for the Peace Wave in the following cities:

– JAMMU: Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space

– VISAKHAPATNAM: Peace March, meeting and signature drive.

– PARVATIPURAM: Meeting and signature drive.

– NAGPUR: (1) Meetings and signature drive and (2) Meeting, photo exhibition and signature drive.

– BHUBANESWAR: Meetings and signature drive, Organizer: Mr. Maheswar Raut.

– INDORE: Meeting and signature drive.

– DIDGHAPANDA: Meeting and signature drive.

HIROSHIMA, NAGASAKI & TOKYO, JAPAN : At noon, September 20, Gensuikyo will declare the start of the “Peace Wave”

MARSHALL ISLANDS : Desmond Narain Doulatram, REACH-MI (Radiation Exposure Awareness Crusaders for Humanity

TAURANGA, NEW ZEALAND : candlelit vigil every evening from 20th – 26th September

SEOUL, REPUBLIC OF KOREA : Press Conference, rallies and performances are planned during Peace Wave campaign period.

Many cities and communities are members of the International Peace Cities network and the following are listed on the Global Feast Map as celebrating a feast to mark the International Day of Peace. They include:

INDIA: NAGPUR, KOCHI, SRINAGAR, RAIPUR, PIRWADHAI, MUMBAI, CHANDIGARH, GOYA

PAKISTAN: AHMEDABAD, QUETTA, MULTAN, ISLAMABAD, MURIDKE, KARACHI, CHITRAL-KHYBER

NEPAL: KATMANDU, LALITPUR

PHILIPPINES: MATAKI

THAILAND: PATHUTHANI

Campaign Nonviolence events took place in:

AFGHANISTAN, KABUL (involving participants from all Afghan provinces)

AUSTRALIA: ADELAIDE, PARKVILLE AND MELBOURNE

INDIA, CHANDIGARH

IRAQ, KURDiSTAN (36 peace actions and events)

East Asia, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, South Asia,

China’s Upcoming Transition to Electric Cars ‘Will Benefit the Whole Economy’

.. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ..

An article from Sputnik News

Chinese authorities intend to ban the production of combustion-engine cars and replace them with electric vehicles may well “benefit the country’s economy,” according to a Bloomberg New Energy Finance analyst.


Chinese car as seen in Bloomberg video

Earlier Xin Guobin, China’s Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology, announced that the country intends to set a deadline for automakers to end sales of combustion-engine cars. According to the official, this move will be aimed at shifting the focus of the market towards electric cars, and is expected to have a profound impact on the environment in a country with some of the worst urban air pollution in the world.

And as Bloomberg New Energy Finance analyst Nannan Kou told Radio Sputnik, this move will benefit not just the environment but the country’s economy as well.

“China will just use less oil and switch to more renewable energy so this will benefit the whole economy and… the health of the people,” he said.

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Question for this article:

Are we making progress in renewable energy?

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Kou also added that this development will likely affect the oil exporters as China would require less fossil fuel. At the same time however, this shift to electric vehicles (EVs) would increase demand for batteries and the components required to manufacture them.

“In the future, with more EVs on the road China will use less oil, so that would impact those oil-exporting companies. On the other hand, when building more EVs you will definitely use more batteries, metals like lithium and cobalt… and the countries who export those minerals will benefit from it,” the analyst explained.

Finally, he pointed out that electric vehicles may be more attractive to drivers for reasons other than their relatively low price.

“In the future, because EVs are an ideal platform to apply autonomous driving, the drivers may not even need to manually drive a car. They could do other things while the autonomous car will take them from A to B, so I think that’s another benefit to the drivers,” Kou said.

Meanwhile, Honda has already announced it will introduce an electric car to Chinese buyers in 2018, according to Honda China COO Yasuhide Mizuno, in cooperation with Chinese business entities Guangqi Honda and Dongfeng Honda, creating a new brand.

Chinese startup automaker Nio also said it will begin selling its ES8 battery-powered SUV as soon as mid-December, according to a company statement.

East Asia, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, Uncategorized

China eclipses Europe as 2020 solar power target is smashed

.. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ..

An article from Euractiv

China has reached its 2020 solar power target three years ahead of schedule, after installed capacity topped well over its 105GW target. Europe has been urged to show similar ambition.


The largest floating solar power farm in the world was recently hooked up to China’s power grid. [Sungrow]
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New figures published by solar industry firm Asia Europe Clean Energy (Solar) Advisory (AECEA) last week revealed that China has exceeded its 2020 target of 105GW of installed solar capacity, after new builds in June and July pushed it up beyond 112GW.

Solar power is enjoying a sunny 2017 in China, after the first half of this year saw capacity increased by 24.4GW, dwarfing similar efforts in Europe, and cementing China’s status as the world’s leading solar nation.

(Thank you to Kiki Chauvin, the CPNN reporter for this article.)

(Click here for a version of this article in French.

Question for this article:
East Asia, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

10th Annual Japan-Korea “Peace & Green Boat” Joint Statement

. TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY .

An article by Peaceboat

The first Peace & Green Boat Japan-Korea joint voyage set sail in 2005.

That voyage marked 60 years since the end of World War II, 60 years since the end of the Japanese colonial occupation of Korea, as well as 40 years since the normalization of relations between Japan and South Korea. This was also the year that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol, came into effect.

Over this time, we have seen the world appeal about the crisis of climate change caused by global warming, In Japan-Korea relations, we saw the rise in popularity of Korean culture as part of Hallyu/the Korean Wave. However this period of time has also been marked by severe political turbulence surrounding issues including Yasukuni Shrine, the Takeshima/Dokdo Islands, and the “Comfort Women”.

However we strongly share the belief that now more than ever, we must build the foundations of a peace and environment-oriented community in East Asia, one based on the combined strength of Japanese and Korean NGOs, and dedicated to protecting the lives of the people. With this goal in mind, we set out across the seas of East Asia.

Over the course of the past 12 years, through dialogue, mutual understanding, and trust, we have overcome numerous challenges to now be celebrating the 10th Japan-Korea joint voyage. With unique direct exchange made possible by using a large passenger vessel, we are proud to say that more than ten thousand participants to date have joined from both countries, creating friendship between citizens of Japan and Korea on an unprecedented scale.

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Question related to this article:

Peace Boat: Building a Culture of Peace around the World

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During this time, tragic incidents such as the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami and subsequent nuclear disaster, as well as the Sewol Ferry Disaster, have served as grim reminders to reaffirm the importance of human life and safety, and to question the nature of politics and society which do not prioritise these things. The new administration in South Korea was born out of the series of one-million-candle demonstrations. We would like to express our agreement with and respect for the new administration’s recognition of the dangers of nuclear energy, and its stated intention to work towards a nuclear-free future. At the same time, we strongly call upon the Japanese government, which has ignored the lessons of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster and has continued on a pro-nuclear energy path, to move towards renewable energy and away from nuclear power.

Since the first Peace & Green Boat voyage we have visited the city of Nagasaki four times. Nagasaki experienced the atomic bombing, and through these visits citizens of Japan and Korea have been able to hear directly the testimonies of the Hibakusha, the survivors of the attack. Our long-held wish was realized when on July 7 this year, the treaty to prohibit nuclear weapons was adopted at the United Nations. Unfortunately however, the governments of both Japan and South Korea are not participating in this treaty, citing the necessity of nuclear weapons as a deterrent. We strongly call upon both governments to join this treaty which seeks to avoid the catastrophic harm to humanity posed by nuclear weapons.

In response to climate change brought about by global warming, which also poses a grave threat to humanity, we will not only continue to devote our full energy and attention to this goal, but also comprehensively and creatively work towards the realization of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals include the promotion of renewable energy, peace, and climate action.

Lastly, through joint Peace & Green Boat activities we will work towards ensuring that the PyeonChang Winter Olympics next year and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics are sustainable Olympics where the environment is given the greatest level of consideration, so that they can be true festivals of peace. It is our intention that through this process, we can work towards building the foundations of an East Asia Peace and Environment Community.

Download this statement in three languages here:

English

Japanese

Korean

East Asia, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Conference of the Asia-Pacific Peace Research Association

EDUCATION FOR PEACE .

Excerpts from website of the Asia-Pacific Peace Research Association

The Centre for Policy Research and International Studies (CenPRIS), Universiti Sains Malaysia in collaboration with its conference partners will be hosting the Asia Pacific Peace Research Association (APPRA) Conference from 23 to 25 August, 2017 at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia. Theme: ‘Promoting Peace and Upholding the Transcendent Dignity of the Human Person in the Asia-Pacific Region’ Dates: August 23-25, 2017 Venue: Dewan Persidangan Universiti, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia


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There will be several special lectures but the highlight will be the Keynote Address on the theme of “Promoting Peace and Upholding the Transcendent Dignity of the Human Person in the Asia-Pacific Region”.

Confirmed Keynote Speakers:

Tan Sri Dato Professor Dzulkifly Abdul Razak, former Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia and current Chairman, Board of Directors, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia,Malaysia “Peace Starts with Me – Lessons from a hibakusha”

Dato’ Prof. ( Dr.) Anwar Fazal, Right Livelihood College, Penang, Malaysia “Streets of Harmony: Building Bridges, Crossing Them: The Penang Experience”

Professor Dr. Kevin Clements, Chair and Director, The National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies,University of Otago, New Zealand “The Current State of Peace Research in the Asia-Pacific Region”

Professor Dr. Katsuya Kodama, Secretary-General, International Peace Research Association (IPRA) “ Hiroshima – Nagasaki Process”, Japan

Professor Dr. Chaiwat Satha-Anand, Peace Information Centre, Thammasat University, Thailand “Nonkilling: Asia as a Peace Research Agenda”

Here are some of the confirmed panels:

Peace Education at Peace Museums -convened by Prof. Yamane Kazuyo, Ritsumeikan University

“US military vs Asian lands and people” – convened by Patrick Hiller, Oregon Institute of Peace

Kampung Mizan : Re-thinking the idea of development- convened by Associate Professor Dr. Mahazan, Malaysian Islamic Science University [USIM]

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Question for this article:

Can peace be guaranteed through nonviolent means?

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Aging with Dignity- convened by Associate Prof. Dr. Saidatulakmal Mohd, USM-RIKEN International Centre for Aging Science , URICAS, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Religion, Spirituality and Peace – convened by　Chetalanaya Institute, Nepal

Mother Earth convened by Sahabat Alam Malaysia

Challenges of Peace Building in the Deeply Polarized societies: The Case of Identity, Ethnicity and Territory based Conflicts in Deep South of Thailand and Arakan State of Myanmar –AMAN

Gandhian non-violent action – Prof. Dr.Vidya Jain

Multi-national/ethnic federalism as a framework of peacemaking – Prof. Dr. Tatsushi Arai

Transforming the inter-communal and Buddhist/Muslim conflict in Western Myanmar, Eastern Bangladesh, and ASEAN- Prof. Dr. Tatsushi Arai.

Education for Social Healing & Reconciliation-Professor Dr. Roy Tamashiro of Webster University, USA, Dr. Chang Ku Do, in Korea, Prof. Yang Shanyou, China, Prof. Kazuyo Yamane, Ritsumeikan University, Japan.

“Populism in Asia and its non-violent responses”-Dr. Janjira Sombatpoonsiri Faculty of Political Science, Thammasat University (Panel Coordinator), Panelists: Dr. Ajay Gudavarthy, Politics Department, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India, Dr. Aries Arugay, Faculty of Political Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman, the Philippines and Dr. Luky Djani, Executive Director, Institute for Strategic Initiatives, Indonesia

“Nonkilling Asia” Prof. Chaiwat Satha-Anand, Thammast University (moderator) The panelists are Pradeep (Nepal), Emma Leslie (Cambodia), Jose Abueve (Philippines), Siwach Sripokangkul (Thailand).

Conflict Early Warning and Agro-terrorism, Dr. Ali Maksum and Surwandono, Universitas Muhammadiyah and Ms. Zuliana, CenPRIS.

For information about the registration, abstract submission and general questions about the conference, please contact

Conference Secretariat:
Centre for Policy Research and International Studies (CenPRIS)
Universiti Sains Malaysia
11800 USM, Penang
Malaysia
Tel: +604-653 2456
Fax: +604-658 4820
Website: appra.net , cenpris.usm.my/index.php/appra2017
E-mail: appra.usm2017@gmail.com or omarufaruku@gmail.com

East Asia, EDUCATION FOR PEACE

Korea: 500 Global Students to Hold Peace March near DMZ

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY .

An article from KBS radio

About 500 students from around the world plan to hold a peace march near the Demilitarized Zone(DMZ) separating the two Koreas.


(Click on image to enlarge)

Gangwon Province Office of Education said on Tuesday that it will hold the 2017 world peace education festival from May 27th to 31st in Gangneung and Goseong.

About 500 middle and high school students as well as teachers from seven countries including Japan, China, Russia and Indonesia plan to participate. 

The event is jointly sponsored by the organizing committee of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and the Asia-Pacific Center of Education for International Understanding under UNESCO.

Participants plan to hold a debate on ways to make a better and peaceful world in Gangneung.

They are then schedule to visit the Unification Observatory located in Goseong and hold a peace march to the nearby DMZ museum. 

(Editor’s note: It is not clear if this is the same initiative as the peace march by 300 youth in the demilitarized zone scheduled for June 23 and sponsored by the U.S.-based International Cooperation of Environmental Youth (ICEY), led by Korean-American environmentalist Jonathan Lee – see article in the Yonhap News Agency).

(Thank you to the Global Campaign for Peace Education for calling this article to our attention.)

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY, East Asia

The Mindanao-Sulu Peace and History Education Project (Philippines)

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

An article by Gail Ilagan for Minda News

Republic Act No. 10908 was signed into law on 21 July 2016, mandating the integration of Filipino-Muslim and Indigenous Peoples history, culture and identity in the study of Philippine History in both Basic and Higher Education. The law recognizes the ultimate objective of creating an inclusive history that accounts for all Filipinos, thus the need to integrate the history, culture and identity studies of Filipino-Muslims and Indigenous People in the grand narrative of Philippine history.


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Earlier in March 2016, the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) released its main report and recommended among others to “integrate in the curricula at all educational levels… subjects on Bangsamoro history, indigenous peoples’ history, and corresponding lessons in art, literature, and language by promoting intercultural exchange and cultural diversity.”

There is however a dearth of resources on Bangsamoro and Lumad history, art, literature, and language. Many Philippine History textbooks for Basic Education are largely silent, misrepresentative, confused, or vague on these topics. Teachers have been known to decry that they don’t know what to teach about Mindanao and its peoples and that they haven’t been given authoritative sources on Mindanao history. There is a need, therefore, to generate educational materials that Basic Education teachers of Philippine History can use in the implementation of RA 10908.

The Mindanao-Sulu History and Peace Education Project seeks to respond to this need. Funded by the World Bank and implemented through the Catholic Education Association of the Philippines (CEAP), the project was conceived by Fr. Albert E. Alejo, SJ, one of the staunchest advocates for the Writing Mindanao, Righting Mindanao campaign.

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Question for this article:

Can peace be achieved in Mindanao?

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For this project, however, writing about Mindanao was not about turning out lengthy expositions, such as were attempted in the past. The Timeline project sought instead to introduce Mindanao through bite-size pieces intended to raise initial interest. It used no more than 50-word blurbs crafted by professional writers to introduce political, economic, cultural, and ecological events identified by reputable academics such as Patricio Abinales, Macario Tiu, and Karl Gaspar to be highlights in Mindanao history.

These blurbs, accompanied by pictures from the MindaNews archives, were laid out in an infographic  that could theoretically be mounted on the classroom wall and referred to during history classes. The infographic, printed on tarpaulin, does not require an LCD player – thus it has particular utility in schools where there is no electricity.

Towards the end of 2016, the infographic was reviewed by the National Historical Institute, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, the Office of Muslim Affairs and, more recently, by the Jesuit Basic Education Council. At each stop in the review process, more items of interest were added, such that the final product consists of 211 items plotted on a 7-meter stretch of canvas.

In March 2017, a full year after the Mindanao Timeline project was conceived, the Department of Education and the CEAP invited Basic Education teachers in Regions V, VII, and IX to pilot workshops on the utility of the tarp as instructional resource. Project Manager Pauline S. Bautista put together a multi-disciplinary team – consisting of Pauline, Fr. Alejo,Bagong Lumad artist  Joey Ayala, ADDU Psychology Department chair Dr. Nelly Limbadan, and myself – to deliver on a design that introduced the timeline in a fun and interactive manner.

Dr. Limbadan designed the tools to measure the cognitive reframing impact of the infographic workshop on the participants. The results indicate that the material did indeed expand the associations the participants now have of Mindanao and its people and generated the interest to visit the southern islands to learn more about it. Moreover, the participants were now more ready to account for a sense of multicultural awareness in the way they would handle instruction on Mindanao history in the future.

Every school that was represented in the pilot will receive a copy of the final Timeline tarp accompanied by a bound compilation with a page dedicated to each item on the infographic.  It is hoped that Philippine History teachers in grade school and high school would use these materials to complement the textbooks they are using.

(Thank you to the Peace Education News for sending us this article)

East Asia, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

Philippines: Theater, a tool for international understanding

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An article from the Manila Buletin

World Theater Day, instituted by the International Theater Institute (ITI) on March 27, 1962, to mark the opening of the Theater of Nations in Paris, France, has since been annually celebrated on March 27 to focus on the importance of theater as a diverse and complex art form that taps the creative work of the playwright, director, actors, artists, and composers. In musical theater, acting is combined with music, song, and dance.2

ITI, the world’s largest organization for the performing arts established in 1948 by UNESCO during the first world congress in Prague, Czech Republic, has a network of 100 national centers worldwide, including the Philippines, that promotes international exchange of knowledge and practice in theater arts, aiming to consolidate peace and friendship among peoples, deepen mutual understanding, and increase creative cooperation among people in the theater arts. An ITI center is made up of professionals active in the theater life of a country and representative of all branches of the performing arts.

The Philippines celebrates UNESCO-ITI World Theater Week every year on March 21-27, pursuant to Proclamation 1262 in 2007. The National Commission for Culture and Arts leads the weeklong celebration, in coordination with ITI-affiliated Philippine Center of the International Theater Institute. Events in Metro Manila and in the regions include the presentation of short plays, dance troupe performances, puppet shows, art exhibits and singing. NCCA encourages artists and culture enthusiasts to partner with the government towards the full flowering of theater arts among Filipinos.

On World Theater Day, events are held by theater communities all over the world, the most important of which is spreading an international message by a renowned personality on the theme of theater and a culture of peace. The first international message was written by French poet-novelist Jean Cocteau in 1962. For 2017, French theater and cinema actress Isabelle Huppert will deliver the World Theater Day message at a special show at the UNESCO in Paris.

Each year, the message is translated into more than 20 languages, read for tens of thousands of spectators before performances in theaters worldwide, released throughout the ITI network, and printed in newspapers.

(For an article on World Theater Day in Mexico, click here)

Question for this article:
East Asia, EDUCATION FOR PEACE

Philippine Catholics march against Duterte’s deadly war on drugs

…. HUMAN RIGHTS ….

An article from Deutsche Welle

Thousands of demonstrators marched alongside Catholic Church leaders in the Philippines capital of Manila on Saturday [February 18] to protest President Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly war on drugs and attempts to reinstate the death penalty.


(c) picture-alliance/AP photo/B.Marquez
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According to police estimates, at least 10,000 people joined the “Walk for Life” march, making it the largest rally yet against Duterte’s brutal crackdown against drug dealers and users. It also marked the largest show of opposition from the Roman Catholic Church against the government’s anti-drugs campaign, which has seen more than 7,600 mostly poor people killed in the past seven months.

“We have to stand up. Somehow this is already a show of force by the faithful that they don’t like these extrajudicial killings,” Manila bishop Broderick Pabillo said. “I am alarmed and angry at what’s happening because this is something that is regressive. It does not show our humanity.”

The Catholic Church is one of the Philippines oldest and most influential institutions in a country where about 80 percent of the population identifies as Catholic, a legacy of the country’s time as a Spanish colony.

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Questions related to this article:

How effective are mass protest marches?

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Duterte on a collision course with Catholic Church

As one of the nation’s most powerful institutions, the Catholic Church has in the past played a crucial political role in the Philippines. In 1986, it helped lead a revolution that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Then, in 2001, it supported an uprising against then- president Joseph Estrada before he was subsequently ousted over corruption charges.

The Church initially refused to voice its opposition to Duterte’s anti-drugs campaign but its opposition has grown increasingly vocal since the end of last year, with the number of casualties continuing to rise.

“It is obvious that there is a spreading culture of violence. It is saddening to see, sometimes it drives me to tears how violent words seem so natural and ordinary,” the country’s highest-ranking Church official, Manila Cardinal Luis Tagle, said. “In your surroundings, in your neighborhood, there are so many lives that must be saved. They will not be saved by mere discussion.”

Duterte was elected president in May on the back of a strong anti-crime and anti-drug platform, claiming he would save generations of Filipinos from the drug menace. Since being elected to office, he has often attacked the church, once describing it as “the most hypocritical institution” for speaking out against his campaign. The President has also scolded a number of local bishops, accusing them of corruption and sexual abuse.

Duterte has also asked Congress to revive the death penalty by public hanging, which has also put him on a collision course with the Church. “Execution is murder,” Archbishop Socrates Villegas, who heads the country’s bishops, said. “We cannot teach that killing is wrong by killing those who kill.”

East Asia, HUMAN RIGHTS

World Culture Forum 2016 Concludes with Bali Declaration Launched

.. . SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT .. .

A press release from the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture published by ACN News Wire

World Culture Forum (WCF) 2016 concluded on October 14 in Bali, Indonesia, with the issuance of the Bali Declaration, consisting of 10 points of commitment, which enable culture to be the driver of sustainable development and urge the UNESCO state members and civil societies to accomplish the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

bali
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Read by the Head of WCF 2016 Steering Committee, Ananto Kusuma Seta in the closing ceremony, the Declaration emphasized that all participating countries should incorporate culture at the heart of future development frameworks.

The Bali Declaration contains following issues:

1. Commitment of the UNESCO state members and civil society to work for the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda

2. Promote the culture of peace in order to make an inclusive, just, and tolerable society

3. Implement the points of recommendation from WCF symposiums series

4. Strengthen the role and involvement of the youth in economics, culture, and socio-politics in respect of promoting mutual understanding and equality

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5. Recognize the role of intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations to enable culture to contribute to sustainable inclusive development

6. Increase the investment in human capital and empowerment of the local community in developing solutions to the world’s most demanding issues

7. Partner with all the elements of stakeholders to ensure that the effort to address the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda is culture-oriented

8. Support from UNESCO to protect cultural heritages from various forms of threats, including wars and social conflicts

9. Drive the implementation of cultural values into a report mechanism at every stage of Sustainable Development Goals

10. Develop an action framework to be launched at the 39th UNESCO General conference in October 2017

Director General of Culture, Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture, Hilmar Farid, stated that the Declaration will soon be followed-up in the general meeting to be held in 2017.

In the same occasion, the representative of the youth group from 39 countries also declared the point of recommendation of IYF 2016, one of which was to develop and make benefit from open source technology to improve education, social, and culture over three years.

For further information, please contact:

Ministry of Education of Culture, Republic of Indonesia
Jalan Jenderal Sudirman Senayan, Jakarta 10270
Phone: +62 21 5711144
Website: www.kemdikbud.go.id

East Asia, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT